Phase difference element and display device

ABSTRACT

A phase difference element, in which imbalance hardly occurs between right and left pictures during displaying a three-dimensional image, and a display device having the phase difference element are provided. A base film of the phase difference element includes, for example, a thin resin film having optical anisotropy. A slow axis of the base film points in a vertical or horizontal direction, and points in a direction intersecting with a slow axis of a right-eye region of the phase difference element and with a slow axis of a left-eye region thereof. Thus, influence due to optical anisotropy of the base film is exerted on each light being transmitted by the base film, so that the influence is not extremely greatly exerted on only one of light corresponding to a right eye and light corresponding to a left eye, the respective light being transmitted by the base film.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a National Stage of International ApplicationNo. PCT/JP2009/067770 filed on Oct. 14, 2009 and which claims priorityto Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-266314 filed on Oct. 15, 2008,the entire contents of which are being incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a phase difference element havingoptical anisotropy and a display device having the element, andparticularly relates to a phase difference element preferably used inobservation of a three-dimensional image by using a polarizing glass,and a display device having the phase difference element.

In a certain type of three-dimensional image display device using apolarizing glass in the past, light in different polarization states areoutputted from left-eye pixels and right-eye pixels, respectively. Insuch a display device, while a viewer puts on a polarizing glass, lightoutputted from left-eye pixels is allowed to enter only into a left eye,and light outputted from right-eye pixels is allowed to enter only intoa right eye, so that a three-dimensional image may be observed.

For example, in patent literature 1, a phase difference element is usedto output light in different polarization states between left-eye pixelsand right-eye pixels. In the phase difference element, a flake-likephase difference member having a slow axis or a fast axis in onedirection is provided in correspondence to left-eye pixels, and aflake-like phase difference member having a slow axis or a fast axis ina direction different from the one direction of the above phasedifference member is provided in correspondence to right-eye pixels.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

Patent literature 1: Japanese Patent No. 3360787

In the above display device, it is desirable that picture light for aleft eye outputted from left-eye pixels enters only into a left eye, andpicture light for a right eye outputted from right-eye pixels entersonly into a right eye. However, a problem called ghost may occur in thedevice, that is, picture light for a left eye slightly enters even to aright eye, or picture light for a right eye slightly enters even into aleft eye.

In particular, in the display device according to the patent literature1, when a base includes a plastic film, a ghost may be clearly seen byonly left eye or right eye due to optical anisotropy slightly exists inthe base. Moreover, a problem of difference in picture color betweenright and left eyes may occur. When such imbalance occurs, a viewerhardly observes a three-dimensional image, or feels unpleasantness.

The problem of imbalance does not limitedly occur in thethree-dimensional image display device, and commonly occurs in a phasedifference element for separating incident light into light in at leasttwo kinds of polarization states, or in a device using such a phasedifference element.

In view of the foregoing problems, it is desirable to provide a phasedifference element, in which imbalance hardly occurs between right andleft pictures during displaying a three-dimensional image, and provide adisplay device having the phase difference element.

SUMMARY

A first phase difference element according to an embodiment includes abase film having optical anisotropy, and a phase difference layer havingoptical anisotropy formed on the base film. The phase difference layerhas at least two kinds of phase difference regions with slow axes havingdifferent directions from each other, and the at least two kinds ofphase difference regions are adjacently and regularly arranged in anin-plane direction of the base film. Each phase difference region hasthe slow axis in a direction intersecting with a border with an adjacentphase difference region at an angle other than a right angle, and thebase film has a slow axis in a direction parallel or orthogonal to theborder.

A first display device according to an embodiment includes a displaypanel being driven according to an image signal, a backlight unitirradiating the display panel, and a phase difference element providedon a side opposite to the backlight unit with respect to the displaypanel. The phase difference element incorporated in the display deviceis configured of the same components as those of the first phasedifference element.

In the first phase difference element and the first display deviceaccording to the embodiment, at least two kinds of phase differenceregions, which have slow axes having different directions from eachother, are adjacently and regularly arranged in an in-plane direction ofthe base film. Thus, for example, light entering from a phase differenceregion side (opposite side to a base film side) is separated into atleast two kinds of light different in polarization state from eachother, and then transmitted by the base film. Each phase differenceregion has the slow axis in a direction intersecting with the border atan angle other than a right angle, and the base film has the slow axisin a direction parallel or orthogonal to the border. Therefore,influence due to optical anisotropy of the base film is exerted on eachlight being transmitted by the base film, so that the influence is notextremely greatly exerted on only one of the at least two kinds of lightbeing transmitted by the base film.

A second phase difference element according to an embodiment includes abase film having optical anisotropy, and a phase difference layer havingoptical anisotropy formed on the base film. The phase difference layerhas at least two kinds of phase difference regions with slow axes havingdifferent directions from each other, and the at least two kinds ofphase difference regions are adjacently and regularly arranged in anin-plane direction of the base film. A slow axis of the base filmintersects with the slow axis of each phase difference region.

A second display device according to an embodiment includes a displaypanel being driven according to an image signal, a backlight unitirradiating the display panel, and a phase difference element providedon a side opposite to the backlight unit with respect to the displaypanel. The phase difference element incorporated in the display deviceis configured of the same components as those of the second phasedifference element.

In the second phase difference element and the second display deviceaccording to the embodiment, at least two kinds of phase differenceregions, which have slow axes having different directions from eachother, are adjacently and regularly arranged in an in-plane direction ofthe base film. Thus, for example, light entering from a phase differenceregion side (opposite side to a base film side) is separated into atleast two kinds of light different in polarization state from eachother, and then transmitted by the base film. The slow axis of the basefilm intersects with the slow axis of each phase difference region.Therefore, influence due to optical anisotropy of the base film isexerted on each light being transmitted by the base film, so that theinfluence is not extremely greatly exerted on only one of the at leasttwo kinds of light being transmitted by the base film.

According to the first and second phase difference elements and thefirst and second display devices of the embodiment, influence due tooptical anisotropy of the base film is exerted on each light beingtransmitted by the base film, so that the influence is not extremelygreatly exerted on only one of the at least two kinds of light beingtransmitted by the base film. This may reduce imbalance including aghost clearly seen by only left eye or right eye, or difference inpicture color between right and left eyes. Consequently, a phasedifference element and a display device, in which such imbalance hardlyoccurs, may be achieved.

Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will beapparent from, the following Detailed Description and the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a section diagram showing an example of a configuration of adisplay device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is conceptual diagrams for illustrating transmission axes andslow axes in the display device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is configuration diagrams showing an example of a configurationand the slow axes of a phase difference element in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is configuration diagrams showing another example of theconfiguration and the slow axes of the phase difference element in FIG.1.

FIG. 5 is a system diagram showing a relationship between the displaydevice of FIG. 1 and a polarizing glass.

FIG. 6 is conceptual diagrams for illustrating an example oftransmission axes and slow axes when a picture on the display device ofFIG. 1 is observed by a right eye.

FIG. 7 is conceptual diagrams for illustrating another example oftransmission axes and slow axes when a picture on the display device ofFIG. 1 is observed by a right eye.

FIG. 8 is conceptual diagrams for illustrating an example oftransmission axes and slow axes when a picture on the display device ofFIG. 1 is observed by a left eye.

FIG. 9 is conceptual diagrams for illustrating another example oftransmission axes and slow axes when a picture on the display device ofFIG. 1 is observed by a left eye.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing another example of the phasedifference element in FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram showing still another example of thephase difference element in FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram showing still another example of thephase difference element in FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram showing another example of thedisplay device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram showing still another example of thedisplay device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 15 is a characteristic diagram showing retardation of a phasedifference film of a polarizing glass.

FIG. 16 is a characteristic diagram showing retardation of each of aright-eye region and a left-eye region.

FIG. 17 is a characteristic diagram showing retardation of a base film.

FIG. 18 is a characteristic diagram showing extinction ratios ofexamples and extinction ratios of comparative examples, respectively.

FIG. 19 is a distribution chart showing wavelength distribution in thecase that a polarizing glass is not used.

FIG. 20 is a characteristic diagram showing chromaticity in the examplesand the comparative examples, respectively.

FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a configuration ofmanufacturing equipment used in an example of a method of manufacturingthe phase difference element in FIG. 1.

FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a configuration ofmanufacturing equipment used for steps following steps of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is schematic diagrams for illustrating another example of themethod of manufacturing the phase difference element in FIG. 1

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference todrawings. Description is made in the following sequence.

1. Embodiment (display device and phase difference element)

2. Modification (display device and phase difference element)

3. Example (display device)

FIG. 1 shows a sectional configuration of a display device according toan embodiment. A phase difference element according to an embodiment isdescribed with a case, as an example, where the element is incorporatedin the display device of the embodiment.

[Configuration of Display Device 1]

A display device 1 of the embodiment is of a polarizing glass type,which displays a three-dimensional image to an observer (not shown)putting on a polarizing glass 2 described later in front of eye balls.The display device 1 is configured by sequentially stacking a backlightunit 10, a liquid crystal display panel 20 (display panel), and a phasedifference element 30. In the display device 1, a surface of the phasedifference element 30 is a picture display surface, and is pointed to anobserver side. In addition, in the embodiment, the display device 1 isdisposed such that the picture display surface is parallel to aperpendicular surface (vertical surface, a y-z plane in FIG. 1).Further, the picture display surface has, for example, a rectangularshape, and a longitudinal direction of the picture display surface isparallel to a horizontal direction (y-axis direction in the figure).Further, the observer observes the picture display surface while puttingon the polarizing glass 2 in front of eye balls of the observer.

[Backlight Unit 10]

The backlight unit 10 has, for example, a reflective plate, a lightsource and an optical sheet (all are not shown). The reflective platereturns light emitted from the light source to an optical sheet side,and has functions of reflection, scattering, diffusion and the like. Thereflective plate includes, for example, PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)foam. Thus, light emitted from the light source may be efficiently used.The light source irradiates the liquid crystal display panel 20 from theback, and includes, for example, a plurality of linear light sourcesarranged in parallel at constant intervals, or a plurality of point-likelight sources arranged in a two-dimensional array. In addition, as thelinear light source, for example, a hot cathode fluorescent lamp (HCFL),a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) or the like is listed. As thepoint-like light source, for example, a light emitting diode (LED) orthe like is listed. The optical sheet equalizes in-plane luminancedistribution of light from the light source, or adjusts an angle ofdivergence and a polarization state of light from the light source intoa desired range, and includes, for example, a diffusion plate, adiffusion sheet, a prism sheet, a reflective polarizing element, and aphase difference plate. Further, the light source may be of an edgelight type. In such a case, a light guide plate or a light guide film isused as necessary.

[Liquid Crystal Display Panel 20]

The liquid crystal display panel 20 is a transmissive display panel inwhich a plurality of pixels are two-dimensionally arranged in row andcolumn directions, and drives each pixel in accordance with a picturesignal for image display. The liquid crystal display panel 20 has, forexample, a polarizing plate 21A, a transparent substrate 22, pixelelectrodes 23, an alignment film 24, a liquid crystal layer 25, analignment film 26, a common electrode 27, a color filter 28, atransparent substrate 29 (counter substrate) and a polarizing plate 21Bin order from a backlight unit 10 side as shown in FIG. 1.

Here, the polarizing plate 21A is disposed on a light incidence side ofthe liquid crystal display panel 20, and the polarizing plate 21B isdisposed on a light emitting side of the liquid crystal display panel20. The polarizing plates 21A and 21B are a kind of optical shutter, andtransmits only light (polarized light) in a certain vibration direction.For example, the polarizing plates 21A and 21B are disposed such thatpolarization axes thereof are different by a certain angle (for example,90 degrees) from each other, so that emitted light from the backlightunit 10 is transmitted through the liquid crystal layer, or blocked bythe liquid crystal layer.

A direction of a transmission axis (not shown) of the polarizing plate21A is set within a range in which light emitted from the backlight unit10 may be transmitted. For example, when a polarization axis of lightemitted from the backlight unit 10 is in a vertical direction, thetransmission axis of the polarizing plate 21A is also in a verticaldirection, and when a transmission axis of light emitted from thebacklight unit 10 is in a horizontal direction, the transmission axis ofthe polarizing plate 21A is also in a horizontal direction. In addition,light emitted from the backlight unit 10 is not limited to linearlypolarized light, and may be circularly or elliptically polarized light,or non-polarized light.

A direction of a polarization axis AX4 (FIG. 2) of the polarizing plate21B is set within a transmittable range of light transmitted by theliquid crystal display panel 20. For example, when a polarization axis(not shown, polarization axis is synonymous with transmission axis) ofthe polarizing plate 21A is in a horizontal direction, the polarizationaxis AX4 is in a direction (perpendicular direction) orthogonal to thehorizontal direction (FIG. 2A). When the polarization axis of thepolarizing plate 21A is in a perpendicular direction, the polarizationaxis AX4 is in a direction (horizontal direction) orthogonal to theperpendicular direction (FIG. 2B).

The transparent substrates 22 and 29 are typically transparent tovisible light. In addition, a transparent substrate on a backlight unit10 side has, for example, an active drive circuit formed thereon, thecircuit including TFT (Thin Film Transistor) as drive elementselectrically connected to transparent pixel electrodes, and wiringlines. The pixel electrodes 23 include, for example, Indium Tin Oxide(ITO), and function as electrodes for each of pixels. The alignment film24 includes, for example, a polymer material such as polyimide foralignment treatment of liquid crystal. The liquid crystal layer 25includes, for example, VA (Vertical Alignment) mode liquid crystal, TN(Twisted Nematic) mode liquid crystal, or STN (Super Twisted Nematic)mode liquid crystal. The liquid crystal layer 25 has a function oftransmitting or blocking light emitted from the backlight unit 10 foreach pixel in response to applied voltage from a not-shown drivecircuit. The common electrode 27 includes, for example, ITO, andfunctions as a common counter electrode. The color filter 28 is formedby arranging filter sections 28A for separating light emitted from thebacklight unit 10 into, for example, respective light of three primarycolors of red (R), green (G) and blue (B). The color filter 28 has ablack matrix section 28B having a light blocking function in a regionbetween the filter sections 28A corresponding to a boundary betweenpixels.

[Phase Difference Element 30]

Next, the phase difference element 30 will be described. FIG. 3(A)perspectively shows an example of a configuration of the phasedifference element 30 of the embodiment. FIG. 3(B) shows slow axes ofthe phase difference element 30 of FIG. 3(A). Similarly, FIG. 4(A)perspectively shows another example of the configuration of the phasedifference element 30 of the embodiment. FIG. 4(B) shows slow axes ofthe phase difference element 30 of FIG. 4(A). The phase differenceelement 30 shown in FIGS. 3(A) and (B) is different from the phasedifference element 30 shown in FIGS. 4(A) and (B) in a direction of aslow axis AX3 of a base film 31 (described later).

The phase difference element 30 changes a polarization state of lighttransmitted by the polarizer 21B of the liquid crystal display panel 20.The phase difference element 30 has, for example, the base film 31 and aphase difference layer 32 as shown in FIG. 1.

The base film 31 includes, for example, a thin resin film having opticalanisotropy. The resin film preferably has small optical anisotropy orlow birefringence. A resin film having such a property includes, forexample, TAC (triacetyl cellulose), COP (cycloolefin polymer), and PMMA(polymethyl methacrylate) or the like. COP includes, for example,ZEONOR® or ZEONEX® (ZEON CORPORATION) and ARTON® (JSR Corporation) orthe like. Thickness of the base film 31 is, for example, preferably 30μm to 500 μm both inclusive. Retardation of the base film 31 ispreferably 20 nm or less, and more preferably 10 nm or less.

The base film 31 may have a single-layer structure or a multilayerstructure. In the case where the base film 31 has a multilayerstructure, the film has, for example, a double-layer structure where aresin layer (not shown) having a function of aligning a material of thephase difference layer 32 is formed on a surface of the base film 31.The resin layer is preferably substantially free from light absorptionor coloring unlike a light alignment film or a polyimide alignment filmin the past. For example, acrylic curable resin may be used for theresin layer. In addition, in the description, the base film includeseven a base film, on which the resin layer is formed, unless otherwisespecified.

In addition, for example, a plurality of (here, two) kinds of grooveregions (not shown) are patterned in correspondence to right-eye regions32A and left-eye regions 32B of the phase difference layer 32 on asurface of the base film 31 (in the case of providing the resin layer,on a surface of the resin layer). The groove regions are alternatelyarranged, for example, in a stripe pattern. Width of each stripe is, forexample, equal to a pixel pitch of the display device 1.

In the respective groove regions, a plurality of small grooves extend inthe same direction. Then, an extending direction of small groovescorresponding to the right-eye regions 32A is, for example, orthogonalto an extending direction of small grooves corresponding to the left-eyeregions 32B. The extending directions of the grooves make angles of −45°and +45°, respectively with the stripe direction of the groove regionsas a reference.

In addition, for example, opening width of each of the small grooves (apitch of the small grooves) is preferably 2 μm or less (more preferably1 μm or less). The pitch of the small grooves is controlled to be 2 μmor less, thereby a material (for example, a liquid crystal materialdescribed later) configuring the phase difference layer 32 is easilyaligned on the small grooves in manufacturing process.

The slow axis AX3 of the base film 31 points, for example, in a verticaldirection (FIG. 3(B)) or a horizontal direction (FIG. 4(B)) as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4. More particularly, the slow axis AX3 points in the samedirection as a short-side direction or a long-side direction of theright-eye regions 32A and the left-eye regions 32B so that the slow axisAX3 points in a direction orthogonal to or in the same direction as adirection of a border L1. The slow axis AX3 preferably points in adirection intersecting with slow axes AX1 and AX2, and points adirection parallel to a bisector (bisector in a vertical or horizontaldirection) of an angle made by the slow axes AX1 and AX2.

In addition, in this description, “parallel”, “orthogonal”, “vertical”and “the same direction” include substantially parallel, substantiallyorthogonal, substantially vertical, and substantially the samedirection, respectively within a range without losing the advantage ofthe invention. For example, each one includes some error caused byvarious factors such as a manufacturing error and variation.

The phase difference layer 32 is a thin layer having optical anisotropy.The phase difference layer 32 is provided on a surface of the base film31, and attached to a surface (polarizing plate 21B) on a light emittingside of the liquid crystal display panel 20 by an adhesive (not shown)or the like (FIG. 1). The phase difference layer 32 has two kinds ofphase difference regions (right-eye regions 32A and left-eye regions32B) with slow axes having different directions from each other. Theright-eye regions 32A of the embodiment corresponds to a specificexample of “one kind of phase difference regions” of the invention, andthe left-eye regions 32B of the embodiment corresponds to a specificexample of “the other kind of phase difference regions” of theembodiment.

The phase difference layer 32 includes, for example, a polymerizablepolymer liquid crystal material. For example, in the phase differencelayer 32, liquid crystal molecules are fixedly aligned on the pluralityof groove regions pattern-formed on the surface of the base film 31 (inthe case of providing the resin layer, on the surface of the resinlayer). As the polymer liquid crystal material, an appropriate materialis selectively used depending on phase transition temperature (liquidcrystal phase to/from isotropic phase), a refractive-indexwavelength-dispersion characteristic of a liquid crystal material, aviscosity property, and process temperature. However, the materialpreferably has an acryloyl group or a metaacryloyl group as apolymerization group in the light of transparency. Moreover, it ispreferable to use a material having no methylene spacer between apolymerizable functional group and a liquid crystal skeleton. Thus,alignment treatment temperature may be lowered during a process of thetreatment. Thickness of the phase difference layer 32 is, for example,preferably 0.1 μm to 10 μm both inclusive. The phase difference layer 32need not be configured of only a polymerized polymer liquid crystalmaterial, and may partially include unpolymerized liquid-crystallinemonomers. The unpolymerized liquid-crystalline monomers included in thephase difference layer 32 align in the same direction as an alignmentdirection of liquid crystal molecules around the monomers so as to havethe same alignment characteristic as an alignment characteristic of thepolymer liquid crystal material.

In addition, the base film 31 and the phase difference layer 32 may bedirectly contacted to each other, or may be provided with a differentlayer in between. The different layer includes an anchor layer forimproving adhesion between the base film 31 and the phase differencelayer 32. Moreover, a nonalignment thin film may be separately providedfor improving alignment of a predetermined material (for example, theabove liquid crystal material) configuring the phase difference layer 32between the base film 31 (or the resin layer provided on the base film)and the phase difference layer 32. Thus, when the phase difference layer32 is formed on the base film 31 during manufacturing process, the phasedifference layer 32 may be less affected by molecular alignment of thesurface of the base film 31.

The right-eye regions 32A and the left-eye regions 32B have, forexample, strip shape extending in a common direction (horizontaldirection), respectively as shown in FIGS. 1, 3(A) and 4(A). Theright-eye regions 32A and the left-eye regions 32B are adjacently andregularly arranged in an in-plane direction of the base film 31, andspecifically, alternately arranged in a short-side direction (verticaldirection) of the right-eye regions 32A and the left-eye regions 32B.Therefore, borders L1 separating between the respective right-eyeregions 32A and left-eye regions 32B point in the same direction as along-side direction (horizontal direction) of the right-eye regions 32Aand the left-eye regions 32B.

Each right-eye region 32A has the slow axis AX1 in a directionintersecting with the border L1 with an adjacent left-eye region 32B atan angle θ1 other than a right angle (0°<θ1<90°) as shown in FIGS. 3 and4. In contrast, each left-eye region 32B has the slow axis AX2 in adirection intersecting with the border L1 with an adjacent right-eyeregion 32A at an angle θ2 other than a right angle (0°<θ2<90°), and in adirection different from the direction of the slow axis AX1, as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4.

Here, “a direction different from the direction of the slow axis AX1”means not only a direction different from the direction of the slow axisAX1, but also rotation in a direction opposite to a rotation directionof the slow axis AX1. Specifically, the slow axes AX1 and AX2 rotate indirections different from each other with respect to the border L1. Theangle θ1 of the slow axis AX1 is preferably equal to the angle θ2 of theslow axis AX2 in absolute value (in the case that a rotation directionis not considered). However, the angles may be slightly different fromeach other due to a manufacturing error or the like. In some cases, theangles may be different from each other by an angle larger than an angledue to a manufacturing error. In addition, such an angle due to amanufacturing error is, for example, up to about 5° while beingdifferent depending on techniques for manufacturing the right-eyeregions 32A and the left-eye regions 32B.

Hereinafter, description is made on a case where the polarizing glass 2is of a circular polarizing type, and the display device 1 is a devicefor a circular polarizing glass. In this case, the angle θ1 ispreferably +45°, and the angle θ2 is preferably −45°, for example.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, each of the slow axes AX1 and AX2 points in adirection intersecting with each of horizontal and perpendiculardirections, and besides, points in a direction intersecting with theslow axis AX3 of the base film 31. Moreover, the slow axes AX1 and AX2preferably point in a direction such that a horizontal bisector of anangle made by the slow axes AX1 and AX2 points in a direction parallelto the border L1.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 2(A) and (B), each of the slow axes AX1and AX2 points in a direction intersecting with the polarization axisAX4 of the polarizing plate 21B on a light emitting side of the liquidcrystal display panel 20. Furthermore, the slow axis AX1 points in adirection equal to or corresponding to a direction of a slow axis AX5 ofa right-eye phase difference film 41B of the polarizing glass 2described later, and points in a direction different from a direction ofa slow axis AX6 of a left-eye phase difference film 42B. The slow axisAX2 points in a direction equal to or corresponding to the direction ofthe slow axis AX6, and points in a direction different from thedirection of the slow axis AX5.

[Polarizing Glass 2]

Next, the polarizing glass 2 will be described. FIG. 5 perspectivelyshows an example of a configuration of the polarizing glass 2 togetherwith the display device 1. The polarizing glass 2, which is put on infront of eye balls of an observer (not shown), is used by the observerwhen the observer observes a picture imaged on a picture displaysurface. The polarizing glass 2 has, for example, a right-eye glass 41and a left-eye glass 42 as shown in FIG. 5.

The right-eye glass 41 and the left-eye glass 42 are disposed facing thepicture display surface of the display device 1. In addition, while theright-eye glass 41 and the left-eye glass 42 are preferably disposed inone horizontal plane to the utmost as shown in FIG. 5, the glasses maybe disposed in a flat plane being somewhat inclined.

The right-eye glass 41 has, for example, a polarizing plate 41A and theright-eye phase difference film 41B. The left-eye glass 42 has, forexample, a polarizing plate 42A and the left-eye phase difference film42B. The right-eye phase difference film 41B is provided on a surface ofthe polarizing plate 41A on an incidence side of light L outputted fromthe display device 1. The left-eye phase difference film 42B is providedon a surface of the polarizing plate 42A on an incidence side of thelight L.

Each of the polarizing plates 41A and 42A is disposed on a lightemitting side of the polarizing glass 2, and transmits only light in acertain vibration direction (polarized light). For example, in FIG. 2,each of polarization axes AX7 and AX8 of the polarizing plates 41A and42A points in a direction orthogonal to the polarization axis AX4 of thepolarizing plate 21B (on a light emitting side of the display panel). Asillustrated in FIGS. 2(A) and (B), each of the polarization axes AX7 andAX8 points in a horizontal direction in the case that the polarizationaxis AX4 points in a vertical direction, and points in the verticaldirection in the case that the polarization axis AX4 points in thehorizontal direction, for example.

Each of the right-eye phase difference film 41B and the left-eye phasedifference film 42B is a thin film having optical anisotropy. Thicknessof each right-eye phase difference film is, for example, preferably 30μm to 200 μm both inclusive. Moreover, such a phase difference film ispreferably small in optical anisotropy, that is, in birefringence. Aresin film having such a property includes, for example, COP(cycloolefin polymer) and PC (polycarbonate). COP includes, for example,ZEONOR® or ZEONEX® (ZEON CORPORATION) and ARTON® (JSR Corporation). Asshown in FIG. 2, each of the slow axes AX5 of the right-eye phasedifference film 41B and the slow axes AX6 of the left-eye phasedifference film 42B points in a direction intersecting with each ofhorizontal and perpendicular directions, and besides, points in adirection intersecting with the respective polarization axes AX7 and AX8of the polarizing plates 41A and 42A. Moreover, the slow axes AX5 andAX6 preferably point in a direction such that a vertical bisector of anangle made by the slow axes AX5 and AX6 points in a directionperpendicular to the border L1. The slow axis AX5 points in a directionequal to or corresponding to a direction of the slow axis AX1, andpoints in a direction different from a direction of the slow axis AX2.On the other hand, the slow axis AX6 points in a direction equal to orcorresponding to a direction of the slow axis AX2, and points in adirection different from the direction of the slow axis AX1.

[Retardation]

Retardation of each of the phase difference element 30 and thepolarizing glass 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9.FIGS. 6 and 7 are conceptual diagrams showing how light L2 is recognizedby both eyes via the polarizing glass 2 while only right-eye image lightL2, which enters into the right-eye region 32A of the phase differencelayer 32, is focused. FIGS. 8 and 9 are conceptual diagrams showing howlight L3 is recognized by both eyes via the polarizing glass 2 whileonly left-eye image light L3, which enters into the left-eye region 32Bof the phase difference layer 32, is focused.

In addition, while the right-eye image light L2 and the left-eye imagelight L3 are actually mixedly outputted, the right-eye image light L2and the left-eye image light L3 are separately depicted in FIGS. 6 to 9for convenience of description.

By the way, when a picture is observed by using the polarizing glass 2,for example, it is necessary that an image of right-eye pixels may berecognized by a right eye, and may not be recognized by a left eye, asshown in FIGS. 6(A), (B) and 7(A), (B). In addition, at the same time,for example, it is necessary that an image of left-eye pixels may berecognized by a left eye, and may not be recognized by a right eye, asshown in FIGS. 8(A), (B) and 9(A), (B). To achieve this, retardation ofeach of the right-eye region 32A and the right-eye phase difference film41B, and retardation of each of the left-eye region 32B and the left-eyephase difference film 42B are preferably set in the following manner.

Specifically, it is preferable that one of the right-eye region 32A andthe left-eye region 32B has retardation of +λ/4, and the other hasretardation of −λ/4. Here, opposite signs of the respective retardationindicate that directions of the slow axes of the respective regions aredifferent by 90° from each other. In this situation, retardation of theright-eye phase difference film 41B is preferably equal to retardationof the right-eye region 32A, and retardation of the left-eye phasedifference film 42B is preferably equal to retardation of the left-eyeregion 32B.

[Basic Operation]

Next, an example of basic operation in image display of the displaydevice 1 of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5to 9.

First, while light irradiated from the backlight unit 10 enters into theliquid crystal display panel 20, a parallax signal including a right-eyeimage and a left-eye image is inputted to the liquid crystal displaypanel 20 as a picture signal. Then, for example, the right-eye imagelight L2 is outputted from pixels in odd rows (FIGS. 6(A), (B) or FIGS.7(A), (B)), and the left-eye image light L3 is outputted from pixels ineven rows (FIGS. 8(A), (B) or FIGS. 9(A), (B)).

Then, the right-eye image light L2 and the left-eye image light L3 areconverted into elliptical polarization by the right-eye region 32A andthe left-eye region 32B of the phase difference element 30,respectively, and then transmitted by the base film 31 of the phasedifference element 30, and then outputted to the outside from the imagedisplay surface of the display device 1. At that time, both of lightpassing through the right-eye region 32A and light passing through theleft-eye region 32B are affected by slight optical anisotropy of thebase film 31.

Then, light outputted to the outside of the display device 1 enters intothe polarizing glass 2, and polarization of the light is returned fromelliptical polarization to linear polarization by the right-eye phasedifference film 41B and the left-eye phase difference film 42B, and thenenters into the polarizing plates 41A and 42A of the polarizing glass 2.

At that time, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, among incident light to thepolarizing plates 41A and 42A, light corresponding to the right-eyeimage light L2 has a polarization axis parallel to the polarization axisAX7 of the polarizing plate 41A, and orthogonal to the polarization axisAX8 of the polarizing plate 42A. Therefore, among incident light to thepolarizing plates 41A and 42A, light corresponding to the right-eyeimage light L2 reaches a right eye of an observer only through thepolarizing plate 41A.

In contrast, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, among incident light to thepolarizing plates 41A and 42A, light corresponding to the left-eye imagelight L3 has a polarization axis orthogonal to the polarization axis AX7of the polarizing plate 41A, and parallel to the polarization axis AX8of the polarizing plate 42A. Therefore, among incident light to thepolarizing plates 41A and 42A, light corresponding to the left-eye imagelight L3 reaches a left eye of an observer only through the polarizingplate 42A.

In this way, light corresponding to the right-eye image light L2 reachesa right eye of an observer, and light corresponding to the left-eyeimage light L3 reaches a left eye of the observer. As a result, theobserver may recognize an image, which is displayed on the picturedisplay surface of the display device 1, like a three-dimensional image.

[Advantage]

In the embodiment, the base film 31 of the phase difference element 30includes, for example, a thin resin film having optical anisotropy.Therefore, both of light passing through the right-eye region 32A andlight passing through the left-eye region 32B are affected by slightoptical anisotropy of the base film 31 as mentioned above. As a result,when image light for a right eye or image light for a left eye reacheseach eye of an observer, a ghost may be included in the image light. Inaddition, when image light for a right eye or image light for a left eyereaches each eye of an observer, the image light may be changed in colorfrom an original color.

However, in the embodiment, the slow axis AX3 of the base film 31 pointsin a horizontal or vertical direction, and besides, points in adirection intersecting with the slow axes AX1 and AX2. Therefore,influence due to optical anisotropy of the base film 31 is exerted oneach light being transmitted by the base film 31, so that the influenceis not extremely greatly exerted on only one of light corresponding to aright eye and light corresponding to a left eye, the respective lightbeing transmitted by the base film 31. As a result, imbalance, such as aghost clearly seen by only right eye or left eye, and difference inpicture color between right and left eyes, may be reduced. Consequently,a phase difference element 30 and a display device 1, in which suchimbalance hardly occurs, may be achieved.

In particular, in the embodiment, in the case that the slow axis AX3 ofthe base film 31 points in a direction parallel to a horizontal orvertical bisector of an angle made by the slow axes AX1 and AX2,influence due to optical anisotropy of the base film 31 is evenlyexerted on each light being transmitted by the base film 31. As aresult, imbalance, such as a ghost clearly seen by only right eye orleft eye, and difference in picture color between right and left eyes,may be eliminated. Consequently, a phase difference element 30 and adisplay device 1, in which such imbalance does not occur, may beachieved.

Moreover, in the embodiment, in the case that a thin base film (forexample, resin film) is used as a base for supporting the phasedifference layer 32 of the phase difference element 30, the phasedifference element 30 may be inexpensively manufactured with a highyield compared with a case that a glass plate is used as a base forsupporting the phase difference layer 32. Moreover, the display device 1may be reduced in thickness by using the thin base film (for example,resin film) as a base for supporting the phase difference layer 32.

[Method of Manufacturing Phase Difference Element 30]

Here, description will be made on an example of a method ofmanufacturing the phase difference element 30 according to theembodiment. Here, assuming that the phase difference element 30 has aplurality of groove regions, description is made separately in two casesof using a roll-like master and of using a sheet-like master information of the groove regions.

(Case of Using Roll-Like Master)

FIG. 21 shows an example of a configuration of manufacturing equipmentfor forming a plurality of small grooves by means of a roll-like master.The manufacturing equipment of FIG. 21 includes an unwind roller 200,guide rollers 220, 230, 250 and 260, a nip roller 240, a pattern roller210, a take-up roller 270, a discharger 280, and an ultravioletirradiator 290. Here, the unwind roller 200 includes aconcentrically-wound roll of base film 31, and supplies the base film31. The base film 31 is unwound from the unwind roller 200, and thensequentially flows along the guide roller 220, the guide roller 230, thenip roller 240, the pattern roller 210, the guide roller 250 and theguide roller 260, and finally the base film 31 is taken up by thetake-up roller 270. The guide rollers 220 and 230 guide the base film 31supplied from the unwind roller 200 to the nip roller 240. The niproller 240 presses the base film 31 supplied from the guide roller 230to the pattern roller 210. The pattern roller 210 is disposed adjacentlyto the nip roller 240 with a certain gap. A circumferential face of thepattern roller 210 has reversal patterns of plurality of small groovesformed in correspondence to right-eye and left-eye regions of the phasedifference element 30, respectively. The guide roller 250 separates thebase film 31 wound on the pattern roller 210 from the pattern roller.The guide roller 260 guides the base film 31 separated by the guideroller 250 to the take-up roller 270. The discharger 280 is providedwith a certain gap near a portion contacting the guide roller 230 of thebase film 31 supplied from the unwind roller 200. The discharger 280drops a UV curing resin liquid 43D including, for example, a UV curingacrylic-resin liquid onto the base film 31. The ultraviolet irradiator290 irradiates ultraviolet rays to a portion, which has passed the niproller 240 and contacts the pattern roller 210, of the base film 44supplied from the unwind roller 200.

The manufacturing equipment having such a configuration is used to formthe base film 31. Specifically, first, the base film 31 is unwound fromthe unwind roller 200, then the base film 31 is guided to the guideroller 230 via the guide roller 220, and then the UV curing resin liquid43D is dropped onto the base film 31 by, for example, the discharger 280so that the UV curing resin layer 43 is formed. Then, the UV curingresin layer 43 on the base film 31 is pressed to the circumferentialface of the pattern roller 210 via the base film 31 by the nip roller240. Thus, the UV curing resin layer 43 contacts the circumferentialface of the pattern roller 210, so that an irregular pattern formed onthe circumferential face of the pattern roller 210 is transferred to theUV curing resin layer 43.

Then, the ultraviolet irradiator 290 irradiates ultraviolet rays to theUV curing resin layer 43 so as to cure the UV curing resin layer 43.Then, the base film 31 is separated from the pattern roller 210 by theguide roller 250, and then taken up by the take-up roller 270 via theguide roller 260. In this way, a base film 31′, on which a resin layerformed, is formed.

In addition, when the nonalignment thin film, which is not shown, isfurther formed, the thin film is formed after the plurality of smallgrooves is provided on the base film 31. For example, a UV curing resinlayer is disposed on surfaces of the plurality of small grooves. The UVcuring resin layer may include the same material as that of the UVcuring resin layer configuring the above resin layer, or may include adifferent material. Next, the UV curing resin layer is irradiated withUV light and thus cured. Thus, a nonalignment thin film is formed inaccordance with the surfaces of the plurality of small grooves. Thenonalignment thin film may be formed by using equipment structured inseries with the manufacturing equipment of FIG. 21 (not shown).

Next, a method of forming the phase difference layer 32 will bedescribed. First, as shown in FIG. 22, the base film 31′ is unwound froman unwind roller 350, then liquid crystal 46D including liquid crystalmonomers is dropped onto the surfaces of the plurality of small grooves(or a surface of the nonalignment thin film), so that a liquid crystallayer 46 is formed. Next, for the same purpose as in the above-mentionedmanufacturing method, alignment treatment (heating treatment) isperformed by using a heater 370 to the liquid crystal monomers of theliquid crystal layer 46 coated on a surface of the base film 31′, andthen the liquid crystal layer 46 is slowly cooled to a temperatureslightly lower than a phase transition temperature of the monomers.Thus, the liquid crystal monomers are aligned in accordance with thepatterns of the plurality of small grooves (or nonalignment thin film)formed on the surface of the base film 31′.

Next, an ultraviolet irradiator 380 irradiates UV light to the liquidcrystal layer 46 subjected to the alignment treatment so that the liquidcrystal monomers in the liquid crystal layer 46 are polymerized. At thattime, while treatment temperature is typically close to roomtemperature, the temperature may be increased to the phase transitiontemperature or lower in order to adjust a retardation value. Thus, analignment state of liquid crystal molecules is fixed along the patternsof the plurality of small grooves, so that the phase difference layer 32(right-eye region 32A and left-eye region 32B) is formed. Thus, thephase difference element 30 is completed. Then, the phase differenceelement 30 is taken up by a take-up roller 390.

A reversal pattern of a master may be directly transferred to the basefilm 31 instead of providing the UV curing resin layer 43 to complete abase film having the plurality of small grooves formed thereon. In thiscase, the phase difference element 30 may be produced in the same way asin the above manufacturing method except that a step of forming the UVcuring resin layer 43 is omitted.

In the embodiment, since high-temperature heating treatment is notnecessary unlike the case that liquid crystal molecules are aligned byusing an alignment film as in the past, a base film (for example, resinfilm), which is easily processed and inexpensive compared with a glassmaterial, may be used.

(Case of Using Sheet-Like Master)

Next, a method of producing the phase difference element 30 in the caseof using the sheet-like master is described with reference to FIG. 23.First, a base film 31 is prepared. Then, a UV curing resin layer 43 (forexample, including acrylic resin) is disposed on a sheet-like master110, on which reversal patterns 110A of the plurality of small groovesare formed in correspondence to a right-eye region and a left-eye regionof a phase difference element 30, respectively, and then the UV curingresin layer 43 is enclosed by the base film 31. Next, the UV curingresin layer 43 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays and thus cured, andthen the master 110 is separated. Thus, a base film 31′, on which aresin layer is formed, is formed (FIG. 23(A)).

In addition, when the nonalignment thin film, which is not shown, isfurther formed, the thin film is formed after the plurality of smallgrooves is provided on the base film 31. For example, a UV curing resinlayer or the like is disposed on surfaces of the plurality of smallgrooves. The UV curing resin layer may include the same material as thatof the UV curing resin layer 43, or may include a different material.Next, the UV curing resin layer is irradiated with UV light and thuscured. Thus, a nonalignment thin film is formed in accordance with thesurfaces of the plurality of small grooves.

Next, a method of forming a phase difference layer 32 will be described(FIG. 23(B)). First, a liquid crystal layer 46 including liquid crystalmonomers is formed on the surfaces of the plurality of small grooves (ora surface of a nonalignment thin film) by coating using a roll coater orthe like. At this time, for the liquid crystal layer 46, a solvent fordissolving the liquid crystal monomers, a polymerization initiator, apolymerization inhibitor, a surfactant, a leveling agent and the likemay be used as necessary. While the solvent is not particularly limited,a solvent, which has high solubility of liquid crystal monomers, lowvapor pressure at room temperature, and low vaporability at roomtemperature, is preferably used. As the solvent having low vaporabilityat room temperature, for example, 1-methoxy-2-acetoxypropane (PGMEA),toluene, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), and methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK)are listed. If a solvent having high vaporability at room temperature isused, vaporization speed of the solvent is too fast after the liquidcrystal layer 46 is coated, so that alignment of liquid crystalmonomers, which are formed through vaporization of the solvent, arelikely to be disordered.

Next, alignment treatment (heating treatment) of the liquid crystalmonomers of the liquid crystal layer 46 is performed. The heatingtreatment is performed at a temperature equal to or higher than a phasetransition temperature of the liquid crystal monomers. In particular, inthe case of using a solvent, the heating treatment is performed at atemperature equal to or higher than a drying temperature of the solvent.Here, shearing stress may be exerted on a boundary between the liquidcrystal monomers and the small grooves due to coating of the liquidcrystal monomers in the previous step, leading to alignment caused byflow of the monomers (flow alignment) or alignment caused by externalforce (external alignment), and consequently liquid crystal moleculesmay be aligned in an unintentional direction. The above-mentionedheating treatment is performed to temporarily cancel an alignment stateof the liquid crystal monomers that have been aligned in such anunintentional direction. Thus, the solvent is dried out from the liquidcrystal layer 46, so that only the liquid crystal monomers remains inthe layer, and the liquid crystal layer is thus into an isotropic phase.

Next, the liquid crystal layer 46 is slowly cooled to a temperatureslightly lower than the phase transition temperature. Thus, the liquidcrystal monomers are aligned in accordance with the patterns of theplurality of small grooves (or nonalignment thin film).

Next, for example, UV light is irradiated to the liquid crystal layer 46subjected to the alignment treatment so that the liquid crystal monomersare polymerized. In addition, at that time, while treatment temperatureis typically close to room temperature, the temperature may be increasedto the phase transition temperature or lower in order to adjust aretardation value. Thus, an alignment state of liquid crystal moleculesis fixed along the patterns of the plurality of small grooves, so thatthe right-eye region 32A and the left-eye region 32B are formed. Thus,the phase difference element 30 is completed (FIG. 23(B)).

In addition, a reversal pattern 110A of a master may be directlytransferred to the base film 31 instead of providing the UV curing resinlayer 43 to complete a base film having the plurality of small groovesformed thereon. In this case, the phase difference element 30 may beproduced in the same way as in the above manufacturing method exceptthat a step of forming the UV curing resin layer 43 is omitted.

In the embodiment, since high-temperature heating treatment is notnecessary unlike the case that liquid crystal molecules are aligned byusing an alignment film as in the past, a base film (for example, resinfilm), which is easily processed and inexpensive compared with a glassmaterial, may be used.

Modification

While the phase difference element 30 has two kinds of phase differenceregions (right-eye region 32A and left-eye region 32B) having slow axeswith different directions from each other, the phase difference element30 may have at least three kinds of phase difference regions having slowaxes with different directions from one another. For example, as shownin FIG. 10, the phase difference element 30 may have a third region 32Cin addition to the right-eye region 32A and the left-eye region 32B, theregion 32C having a slow axis with a direction different from each ofdirections of the slow axes AX1 and AX2 of the right-eye region 32A andleft-eye region 32B.

Moreover, while a case has been exemplified in the embodiment, in whicheach of the phase difference regions (right-eye region 32A and left-eyeregion 32B) of the phase difference element 30 extends in a horizontaldirection, the region may extend in another direction. For example, asshown in FIG. 11, each of the phase difference regions (right-eye region32A and left-eye region 32B) of the phase difference element 30 mayextend in a vertical direction.

Moreover, while the case has been exemplified in the embodiment and themodification, in which each of the phase difference regions (right-eyeregion 32A and left-eye region 32B) of the phase difference element 30extends over the whole phase difference element 30 in a horizontal orvertical direction, the region may be arranged, for example, in atwo-dimensional array in both of horizontal and vertical directions asshown in FIG. 12. In addition, even if the region is two-dimensionallyarranged, a border between the phase difference regions is defined asborder in a vertical direction.

Moreover, while the case where the phase difference element 30 is usedfor the display device 1 has been exemplified in the embodiment and themodification, the element may be obviously used for other devices.

Moreover, although a component or the like, which controls an angle ofdivergence of light outputted from the liquid crystal panel 20, is notparticularly provided in the embodiment and the modification, forexample, a black stripe section 40 may be provided between the liquidcrystal panel 20 and the phase difference element 30 as shown in FIG.13. The black stripe section 40 has a transmission section 40A providedin a region opposed to the pixel electrodes 23 in the liquid crystalpanel 20, and a light blocking section 40B provided in the periphery ofthe transmission section 40A. This may solve such a problem calledcrosstalk that when an observer observes an image display surface froman obliquely upper side or obliquely lower side, light passing through aleft-eye pixel enters the right-eye region 32A, or light passing througha right-eye pixel enters the left-eye region 32B.

In addition, the black stripe section 40 need not be necessarilyprovided between the liquid crystal panel 20 and the phase differenceelement 30, and, for example, may be provided between the polarizingplate 21B and the transparent substrate 29 within the liquid crystalpanel 20 as shown in FIG. 14.

While description has been made hereinbefore on the case where thepolarizing glass 2 is of a circularly polarizing type, and the displaydevice 1 is a device for a circularly polarizing glass, the phasedifference element may be used even in the case that the display device1 is a device for a linearly polarizing glass.

EXAMPLES

Hereinafter, examples 1 and 2 of the display device 1 of the embodimentare described by comparison with comparative examples 1 and 2.

A phase difference element, in which the slow axis AX3 of the base film31 was pointed in a vertical direction with respect to the border L1 asshown in FIG. 3, was assumed as example 1, and a phase differenceelement, in which the slow axis AX3 of the base film 31 was pointed in ahorizontal direction with respect to the border L1 as shown in FIG. 4,was assumed as example 2. That is, in the examples 1 and 2, the slowaxis AX3 was made to intersect with each of the slow axes AX1 and AX2,and besides, was pointed in approximately the same direction as adirection of a vertical or horizontal bisector of an angle made by theslow axes AX1 and AX2. In contrast, a phase difference element, in whichthe slow axis AX3 of the base film 31 was pointed in the same directionas a direction of the slow axis AX2 of the left-eye region 32B, wasassumed as comparative example 1, and a phase difference element, inwhich the slow axis AX3 of the base film 31 was pointed in the samedirection as a direction of the slow axis AX1 of the right-eye region32A, was assumed as comparative example 2.

First, an extinction ratio was measured and evaluated for each of theexamples 1 and 2 and the comparative examples 1 and 2. The extinctionratio, which is obtained by the following calculation formula (1) or(2), may quantitatively give a level of ghost occurrence.

[Formula 1]

Extinction Ratio of Right-Eye Region 32 a

=luminance in the case that right-eye region 32A is observed byright-eye glass 41/luminance in the case that right-eye region 32A isobserved by left-eye glass 42  (1)

[Formula 2]

Extinction Ratio of Left-Eye Region 32 b

=luminance in the case that left-eye region 32B is observed by left-eyeglass 42/luminance in the case that left-eye region 32B is observed byright-eye glass 41  (2)

As shown in FIG. 2, the transmission axes AX7 and AX 8 of the polarizingplates 41A and 42A of the polarizing glass 2 are preferably in crossednicols with respect to the transmission axis AX4 of the polarizing plate21B on a light emitting side of the display device 1, respectively.Therefore, the transmission axis AX4 of the polarizing plate 21B on thelight emitting side was adjusted in a vertical direction, and thetransmission axes AX7 and AX 8 were adjusted in a horizontal directioneach. In addition, retardation of each of the right-eye region 32A andthe left-eye region 32B of the phase difference layer 32 was adjusted toapproximately λ/4. Moreover, the slow axis AX2 of the left-eye region32B and the slow axis AX6 of the left-eye phase difference film 42B wereadjusted to be in the same direction, and the slow axis AX1 of theright-eye region 32A and the slow axis AX5 of the right-eye phasedifference film 41B were adjusted to be in the same direction. In sucharrangement, calculation of an extinction ratio of each of the right-eyeregion 32A and the left-eye region 32B was performed in terms of theexpanded Jones Matrix method.

In addition, retardation of each of the right and left, phase differencefilms 41B and 42B of the polarizing glass 2, or retardation of each ofthe right-eye region 32A and the left-eye region 32B of the phasedifference element 30 is preferably λ/4 or similar to λ/4 at anywavelength. Here, polycarbonate was assumed as a material of each of thephase difference films 41B and 42B of the polarizing glass 2, and aliquid crystal polymer was assumed as a material of each of theright-eye region 32A and the left-eye region 32B.

Assuming that the right-eye phase difference film and the left-eye phasedifference film of the polarizing glass 2 had the same retardation, thephase difference films 41B and 42B of the polarizing glass 2 wereadjusted to have a retardation value as shown in FIG. 15 each. Inaddition, assuming that even the right-eye region 32A and the left-eyeregion 32B had the same retardation, the regions were adjusted to have aretardation value as shown in FIG. 16 each. In contrast, the base film31 of the phase difference element 30 has slight retardation. Here, aZEONOR® (ZEON CORPORATION) film 100 μm in thickness was assumed as thebase film 31 with a retardation value as shown in FIG. 17. That is,retardation of the base film 31 was assumed to be about 6 nm in avisible range.

FIG. 18 shows a calculation result of extinction ratios. In thecomparative example 1, an extinction ratio of the left-eye region 32B islow. This means that a picture of left-eye pixels enters not only a lefteye but also a right eye, so that a ghost appears on a picture of theright eye. In the comparative example 2, an extinction ratio of theright-eye region 32A is low. This means that a picture of right-eyepixels enters not only a right eye but also a left eye, so that a ghostappears on the left eye. Therefore, in each of the comparative examples1 and 2, a ghost clearly appears on only one eye, so that athree-dimensional image is hardly observed. On the other hand, in eachof the examples 1 and 2, extinction ratios are the same between botheyes, and thus a ghost does not clearly appear on only one eye.Therefore, a three-dimensional image is preferably easily observed.

Next, chromaticity was measured and evaluated for each of the examples 1and 2 and the comparative examples 1 and 2. FIG. 19 shows wavelengthdistribution in the case that the polarizing glass 2 is not used. Inthis case, chromaticity is u′=0.1947 and v′=0.39060 in the L*u*v* colorsystem of CIE (The International Commission on Illumination). FIG. 20shows chromaticity for each of the examples 1 and 2 and the comparativeexamples 1 and 2. The figure reveals that while chromaticity isdifferent between right and left eyes, so that a color is differentlyseen between the eyes in the comparative examples 1 and 2, chromaticityis the same between right and left eyes, and a color is thus notdifferent between the eyes in the examples 1 and 2.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to thepresently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention andwithout diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intendedthat such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

1-8. (canceled)
 9. A phase difference element comprising: a base filmhaving optical anisotropy; and a phase difference layer having opticalanisotropy and formed on the base film, wherein the phase differencelayer has at least two kinds of phase difference regions with slow axeshaving different directions from each other, the at least two kinds ofphase difference regions are adjacently and regularly arranged in anin-plane direction of the base film, each of the phase differenceregions has the slow axis in a direction intersecting with a border withan adjacent phase difference region at an angle other than a rightangle, and the base film has a slow axis in a direction parallel ororthogonal to the border.
 10. The phase difference element according toclaim 9, wherein the base film includes a resin film.
 11. The phasedifference element according to claim 9, wherein one of the phasedifference regions has retardation of +λ/4, and the other of the phasedifference regions has retardation of −λ/4.
 12. The phase differenceelement according to claim 9, wherein the phase difference layer has twokinds of the phase difference regions, and each of the phase differenceregions has a slow axis in such a direction that a bisector of an anglemade by a slow axis of one of the phase difference regions and a slowaxis of the other of the phase difference regions is parallel to theslow axis of the base film.
 13. A phase difference element comprising: abase film having optical anisotropy; and a phase difference layer havingoptical anisotropy and formed on the base film, wherein the phasedifference layer has at least two kinds of phase difference regions withslow axes having different directions from each other, the at least twokinds of phase difference regions are adjacently and regularly arrangedin an in-plane direction of the base film, and a slow axis of the basefilm intersects with the slow axis of each of the phase differenceregions.
 14. The phase difference element according to claim 13, whereinthe phase difference layer has two kinds of the phase differenceregions, and the base film has the slow axis in a direction parallel toa bisector of an angle made by a slow axis of one of the phasedifference regions and a slow axis of the other of the phase differenceregions.
 15. A display device comprising: a display panel being drivenaccording to an image signal; a backlight unit irradiating the displaypanel; and a phase difference element provided on a side opposite to thebacklight unit with respect to the display panel, wherein the phasedifference element includes a base film having optical anisotropy, and aphase difference layer having optical anisotropy and formed on the basefilm, wherein the phase difference layer has at least two kinds of phasedifference regions with slow axes having different directions from eachother, the at least two kinds of phase difference regions are adjacentlyand regularly arranged in an in-plane direction of the base film, eachof the phase difference regions has the slow axis in a directionintersecting with a border with an adjacent phase difference region atan angle other than a right angle, and the base film has a slow axis ina direction parallel or perpendicular to the border.
 16. A displaydevice comprising: a display panel being driven according to an imagesignal; a backlight unit irradiating the display panel; and a phasedifference element provided on a side opposite to the backlight unitwith respect to the display panel, wherein the phase difference elementincludes a base film having optical anisotropy, and a phase differencelayer having optical anisotropy and formed on the base film, wherein thephase difference layer has at least two kinds of phase differenceregions with slow axes having different directions from each other, theat least two kinds of phase difference regions are adjacently andregularly arranged in an in-plane direction of the base film, and a slowaxis of the base film intersects with the slow axis of each of the phasedifference regions.